Quick Review: AHRIMAN – EXODUS by John French (Black Library)

October 27, 2015 Civilian Reader Review Ahriman, Anthology, Black Library, Chaos, Exodus, John French, Sci-Fi, Short Stories, WH40k

A collection of short stories set in French’s Ahriman series

Ahriman, exiled sorcerer lord of the Thousand Sons, has many servants who do his bidding. Each has a tale to tell, but few as compelling as that of Ctesias the twice-dead, summoner of daemons. From an encounter with the mysterious Dead Oracle to the perils of the Hounds and Wrath and navigating the Gates of Ruin, Ctesias is a vital link in Ahriman’s grand plan. This is Ctesias’ tale, in his own words, of his trials and the great and terrible deeds he has performed in his master’s name. This is the chronicle of his path to damnation as he leads Ahriman to his exodus from the Eye of Terror.

Each of the short stories contained within this collection are told from the perspective of Ctesias, a member of the fallen Thousand Sons Traitor Legion. A sorcerer particularly gifted at summoning and binding daemons, he has been adopted into Ahriman’s war band, for a particular reason that his new master is keeping hidden. I had already read a few of the short stories contained herein, but the anthology was a nice way to have them all collected in one volume. As I expected, I enjoyed the collection. Continue reading →

Upcoming: THOSE BELOW by Daniel Polansky (Hodder)

October 26, 2015 Civilian Reader Upcoming Cover Art, Daniel Polansky, Empty Throne Series, Epic, Fantasy, Grimdark, Hodder, Most Anticipated 2016, Those Above, Those Below

Earlier today, Tor.com shared the cover artwork for Daniel Polansky‘s upcoming new novel, Those Below. It was unveiled earlier by Hodder, although I inexplicably managed to miss that post… The sequel to Those Above, and final novel in the author’s epic fantasy Empty Throne series, it’s due to be published by Hodder in the UK, on March 10th, 2016. I really can’t wait to get my mitts on this one…

Here’s what it’s about:

For centuries beyond counting, humanity has served the Others, god-like Eternals who rule from their cloud-capped mountain-city, building a civilization of unimagined beauty and unchecked viciousness.

But all that is about to change. Bas Alyates, grizzled general of a thousand battles, has assembled a vast army with which to contend with the might of Those Above. Eudokia, Machiavellian matriarch and the power behind the Empty Throne, travels to the Roost, nominally to play peacemaker – but in fact to inspire the human population toward revolt. Deep in the dark byways of the mountain’s lower tiers, the urchin Pyre leads a band of fanatical revolutionaries in acts of terrorism against their inhuman oppressors. Against them, Calla, handmaiden of the Eternals’ king, fights desperately to stave off the rising tide of violence which threatens to destroy her beloved city.

Guest Post: “Process Story” by Colin Sinclair

October 23, 2015October 21, 2015 Civilian Reader Guest Post Abaddon Books, Colin Sinclair, Midnight in the Garden Centre of Good and Evil, Process Story, Rebellion Publishing, Writing

My creative method is simple. I lock myself in a darkened room and scream at a blank sheet of paper for an hour until something comes to mind.

I jest, of course. It’s typically a half-hour, tops.

It can’t always be so tough of course. Some days are better than others, right enough. There’s even times when the ghost of an idea can roll right up beside you, start to whisper in your ear.

Like this, for example:

I have a 20-month old son who loves cars, and the Disney-Pixar movie Cars, and planes, which he calls cars. He also likes Planes. When Christopher’s not looking stylish in hats — or, you know, fighting orcs — we’re watching Cars.

Around about the two-hundredth viewing I noticed an angry Doc Hudson, setting out his plans for the car that’s just wrecked the main road into town.

“I’m gonna put him in jail ’til he rots. No, check that… I’m gonna put him in jail ’til the jail rots on top of him, then I’m gonna move him to a new jail and let that jail rot.”

Continue reading →

Audio Review: TRUTHS, HALF TRUTHS & LITTLE WHITE LIES by Nick Frost (Hodder)

October 22, 2015October 21, 2015 Civilian Reader Review Audible, Audiobook, Biography, Comedy, Hodder, Memoir, Nick Frost, Shaun of the Dead, Spaced, Truths Half Truths and Little White Lies

An amusing, at times moving, memoir of a life up to stardom

“No life can really be all black, right? Even during the darkest times, what got me through that bleakness was laughter and time. With enough of both of these things I reckon you could get over just about anything.”

Nick Frost burst onto our screens in a blaze of camo fatigues and weaponry as the Territorial Army obsessed loveable idiot Mike Watt in the hit cult comedy Spaced. Since then, fans around the world have watched him with a fervent devotion as he fought zombies, rescued aliens and salsa’d his way to box office smash after smash.

It’s quite a story. But it’s not this story. This story isn’t the romp from movie set to Hollywood party. This is a story of a life like no other.

With blistering candour Frost recounts his childhood growing up in Essex in a household full of love and optimism but tragically blighted by alcoholism, illness and sudden life shattering misfortune.

Dogged by his own personal demons, Nick tells of the hilarious, jaw dropping and at times heartbreaking experiences that have punctuated his tumultuous life.

Nick Frost is possibly best known for his roles in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and Paul. He’s probably also best known as Simon Pegg’s best bud. After reading (or listening) to this audiobook, though, you’ll know him as a very funny, friendly, yet introverted fellow, too. I didn’t know anything about him outside of his film roles, so I was very interested in listening to this audiobook. I was not disappointed — this could be one of the top five audiobooks I’ve listened to this year. Continue reading →

Excerpt: CHAOS UNLEASHED by Drew Karpyshyn (Del Rey)

October 21, 2015October 16, 2015 Civilian Reader Excerpt Chaos Unleashed, Children of Fire, Children of the Fire, Del Rey, Del Rey UK, Drew Karpyshyn, Fantasy, Scorched Earth

Today, we have an excerpt from Chaos Unleashed, the third volume in Drew Karpyshyn’s Children of the Fire fantasy series. Here’s the synopsis:

The Legacy, a magical barrier protecting humanity from Chaos, has crumbled.

Four unlikely champions, each touched with Chaos magic at birth, are all that can stop the return of Daemron the Slayer. Armed with the Talismans of power the four champions, the Children of Fire, must find the Keystone, a fabled place where, or so it is said, the Legacy can be restored.

But even the noblest heart can be twisted by the tainted magic of Chaos…

Chaos Unleashed is published in the UK by Del Rey tomorrow. The first two volumes in the series — Children of Fire and The Scorched Earth — are also published by Del Rey UK, and available now.

Read on for the excerpt… Continue reading →

Latest FORCE AWAKENS Trailer (Tingles…)

October 20, 2015 Civilian Reader Upcoming, Video Force Awakens, Lucasfilm, Movies, Sci-Fi, Star Wars, Trailer

Looks fantastic. Great to see a little bit more of the new characters (and Han Solo, of course). I’m cautiously optimistic — more so each time they release something new. Except for one possible snippet, though, where’s Luke Skywalker…? As with the poster released this week, he seems noticeably absent. Mark Hamill is in the behind-the-scenes video that aired at Comic-Con 2015 (and in the above-linked-to post), so we know he is in the movie.

I wonder if Force Awakens is about bringing the old band back together?

Review: THE EX and DEAD CONNECTION by Alafair Burke

October 19, 2015October 19, 2015 Civilian Reader Review Alafair Burke, Crime, Dead Connection, Ellie Hatcher Series, Harper Collins, Henry Holt, Legal, New York, NYPD, The Ex, Thriller

A stand-alone and first in an earlier series

The first novel I read by Alafair Burke, The Ex, left me feeling a bit dissatisfied. Luckily, my second novel by the author was more engaging. I’m now looking forward to reading the rest of Burke’s backlist.
Continue reading →

New STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS Poster

October 18, 2015 Civilian Reader News, Upcoming, Video Force Awakens, Most Anticipated 2015, Star Wars, Trailer

I’m very much looking forward to this movie. Very, very much, in fact. I wonder why Luke isn’t in the image, though. Also, does anyone else wonder if John Boyega’s character, “Finn”, is Leia and Lando’s child…? Here’s the trailer (again):

And the Comic-Con 2015 Reel — an all-too-short making of clip, featuring a few cameos from the stars and crew:

New Books (September-October)

October 17, 2015August 23, 2018 Civilian Reader New Books Adrian J Walker, Alison Littlewood, Allen Eskens, Amie Kaufman, Ann Leckie, Apocalyptic, Audible UK, David Ellis, David Mitchell, David Tallerman, David Wong, Deborah Biancotti, Delacorte Press, Emily Foster, Emma Kavanagh, Fantasy, Gillian Anderson, Hodder, James Patterson, Jay Kristoff, Jeff Rovin, Jim Butcher, Johanna Basford, John Seabrook, Knopf, Linda Nagata, Louise Hall, Margo Lanagan, Neil Gaiman, Nick Frost, Orbit Books, Paul Murray, Richard Ford, Robinson, Roc Books, Salman Rushdie, Sam Munson, Sci-Fi, Scott Westerfeld, Susan Dennard, Thriller, Urban Fantasy, Will McIntosh

Featuring: Gillian Anderson, Johanna Basford, Jim Butcher, Susan Dennard, David Ellis, Allen Eskens, Richard Ford, Emily Foster, Nick Frost, Neil Gaiman, Louise Hall, Amie Kaufman, Emma Kavanagh, Jay Kristoff, Ann Leckie, Alison Littlewood, Will McIntosh, David Mitchell, Sam Munson, Paul Murray, Linda Nagata, James Patterson, Jeff Rovin, Salman Rushdie, John Seabrook, David Tallerman, Adrian J. Walker, Scott Westerfeld, David Wong

[Yes, those GIFs have nothing to do with books. So?] Continue reading →

Excerpt: ACAPULCALYPSE NOW by Alison Littlewood (Robinson)

October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 Civilian Reader Excerpt Acapulcalypse Now, Alison Littlewood, Constable and Robinson, Horror, Stephen Jones, Zombie Apocalypse, Zombies

Today, Robinson has allowed me to share an excerpt from Alison Littlewood’s contribution the the publisher’s Zombie Apocalypse Series (created by Stephen Jones): ACAPULCALYPSE NOW. Here’s the synopsis:

The Hotel Baktun is an exclusive vacation complex that is about to open on the coast of Acapulco, Mexico. Owned by a mysterious multi-millionaire businessman, it is shaped like an ancient Mayan pyramid and its halls are lined with rare and expensive artefacts.

For Stacy Keenan, the hotel’s new Head of Security, things are already chaotic as the locals continue to put the finishing touches to the festivities while VIPs begin to arrive for the grand opening. When a Russian cruise ship turns along the shore and disgorges its cargo of flesh-eating zombies, the guests and staff soon fragment into various factions as they struggle to withstand the spread of HRV (Human Reanimation Virus).

As the armies of the dead conquer all that stand before them, and the human survivors prepare for a final battle against an unstoppable enemy, a horror even more ancient and terrible is revealed when ‘The Death’ comes to Paradise… Continue reading →